Podcast Summary: Trap Talk From The Back Fence
Episode Title: Trap Talk | Sheri Rawe on Coaching, Culture, and Building a Winning College Program
Air Date: February 13, 2026
Hosts: Zach Nannini (“A”), Richard Marshall Jr. (“Ricky/B”)
Guest: Sheri Rawe (“C”), Head Coach, Lindenwood Shotgun Sports
Overview
This episode features an in-depth conversation with Sheri Rawe, the newly appointed head coach of Lindenwood University’s powerhouse Shotgun Sports program. Hosts Zach and Ricky dig into Sheri’s whirlwind start, her strategies for team unity, culture change, fundraising challenges, and her vision for collegiate shooting sports. The discussion also explores the value of camaraderie, the importance of academic standards, and practical advice for student-athletes.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
Sheri Rawe’s Sudden Start at Lindenwood
- Sheri described her rapid transition into the head coach role:
- Official start: December 5, right before finals and winter break.
- Immediate orientation and a hastily arranged team meeting to introduce herself (01:52).
- Spent first days meeting all athletes 1-on-1, recognizing many already from the youth circuit.
- Used campus downtime to overhaul her office and “count down the minutes until the kids returned.” (02:57)
"Got in there with the kids. We got down in the trenches and talked about all their concerns and issues and ideas... we restructured the team right out of the gate, did things a lot different."
— Sheri Rawe, (05:28)
Coping with Change & Team Leadership
- Lindenwood’s shooting program has seen multiple recent coaching changes, leading to instability and anxiety among students.
- Senior and upperclass team members “stepped up” and kept the program together during the month-long coaching vacancy (05:25).
"You know, they're college kids... but they're kids at heart. And they were worried, you know, what's going to happen to us?"
— Sheri Rawe, (05:40)
Unifying the Program: The “One Team” Philosophy
- Sheri eliminated divisive subgroup structures (gold/black/gray teams) and launched a new philosophy: “One Team, One Roar, One Goal.” (07:23)
- This move was met with initial shock but “relief and awe” quickly followed as a sense of unity emerged.
- All 56 team members are now fully invested and working together, including the push that “everyone goes to Nationals.”
"The first thing I said at that team meeting... was 'okay, gold team, black team, gray team, it’s gone. We're one team.'... the relief, the awe, the smiles started to emerge."
— Sheri Rawe, (07:30)
- Both hosts and alumni Zach validated the need for this change, recalling past issues with “cliques” and divided dynamics (11:27).
Camaraderie and Lasting Relationships
- Zach reflects on how much team relationships and unity factored into past national titles and lasting friendships (20:41).
- Sheri emphasizes bringing value out of every team member, not just the top shooters, celebrating the cheerleaders and positive personalities (13:28).
"On this team, every kid is the value, every single one of them... it's every personality that matters."
— Sheri Rawe, (12:28)
The Importance of the Journey, Not Just the Prize
- Sheri advocates the message: Don’t focus so hard on the prize that you miss the journey (21:55).
"I've told every kid I’ve ever coached—never focus so hard on the prize that you forget to enjoy the journey. That’s where your win is."
— Sheri Rawe, (21:55)
- Hosts and guest alike share fun stories of college life, tournament trips, and “ramen noodle economics,” reinforcing the importance of enjoying the process (25:24, 28:36).
Academic Standards and Student-Athlete Balance
- Strong emphasis on academics: Sheri advocates for a 2.5 GPA requirement (current university policy is 2.0, but she’s pushing for higher).
- She closely monitors academic progress with “Dropout Detective,” proactively communicating with professors to catch issues early (38:44).
- Team culture fosters upperclassmen helping underclassmen academically—“that’s what the team is for” (41:09).
"Student comes first. Student athlete—it’s even in the title. I don't know why that's confusing to some people, but it is."
— Sheri Rawe, (31:53)
- Both hosts and guest urge students to establish relationships with professors, work ahead on assignments, and prioritize schoolwork to free up mental bandwidth for competition (30:44).
Coaching Support and Growth Mindset
- Sheri recognizes where she can and cannot contribute technically to world-class shooters, so she has brought in top outside coaches like Tom Ruck (international skeet/Olympian) and enlists Ricky’s expertise for trap and doubles training (43:46).
- Mental approach and team atmosphere are prioritized.
Funding, Fundraising, and Team Infrastructure
- Lindenwood is privileged as a fully funded varsity sport, not just a “club”—but still must fundraise and seek donor support (47:54).
- Booster club (Pride for Lindenwood Shotgun Sports, a 501(c)3) established since 2016, allowing tax-deductible donations (50:14).
- Pride handles “home base” infrastructure at major shoots, providing food, tents, drinks for all athletes and parents at national events—a major boost to team morale and logistics (51:14).
The Rise of Competition and the “Lindenwood Effect”
- Lindenwood’s dominance (18 national championships, 15 consecutive) “raised the bar” nationally; more programs get funded to beat them, creating a healthier and more competitive college shooting scene (55:03).
"Healthy competition is a good thing... it creates more opportunity in the long run than it does hurt."
— Zach Nannini, (55:03)
Closing Messages For Future Student-Athletes and Supporters
- To aspiring team members: “Just bring me the heart and the passion—the scores will come.” (59:14)
- To donors: Supporting college shooting means investing in the future of the sport.
- To all: Never focus so hard on the prize that you forget to enjoy the journey.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On team unity:
"We adopted a new logo that minute. One team, one roar, one goal. Period."
— Sheri Rawe, (07:30) -
On coping with rapid changes:
"There were kids on that team, upperclassmen, that effectively stepped up... said, you know what, this is our team. If we got to run it, we’re gonna run it."
— Sheri Rawe, (05:49) -
On how everyone matters:
"Every kid on this team is the value, every single one of them... because they drive the ones that get burnt out."
— Sheri Rawe, (13:28) -
On fundraising and the Pride:
“The Pride pays for every penny of that. All of it. That’s thousands of dollars.”
— Sheri Rawe, (51:14) -
On the journey:
“Never focus so hard on the prize that you forget to enjoy the journey, because that’s where it’s at.”
— Sheri Rawe, (21:55, 59:29) -
Advice for future student-athletes:
"You’re there to learn first, and then you’re there to experience as much as college has to deliver."
— Zach Nannini, (29:51) -
Encouragement for all:
"There's no such thing [as not being good enough]. You bring me the heart, you bring me the passion... the scores will come."
— Sheri Rawe, (59:14)
Important Timestamps
- Sheri’s introduction and whirlwind start: 01:52 – 06:53
- Team unity and “One Team” philosophy: 07:23 – 09:40
- Discussion of team size, camaraderie, and alumni reflections: 11:27 – 21:42
- The journey vs. the prize, and life lessons: 21:55 – 31:53
- Academic standards, Dropout Detective tool: 38:44 – 41:09
- Coaching support and outside experts: 42:37 – 44:54
- Booster club and major fundraising logistics: 47:54 – 52:23
- Lindenwood’s impact on collegiate shooting sports: 55:03 – 56:39
- Final message to athletes, parents, and the future: 58:07 – 59:31
Tone of the Conversation
The episode is candid, upbeat, and deeply personal, blending humor (“ramen noodle economics,” sticky orange juice floors) with sincere passion for growing both shooting skills and young people. The hosts and guest employ a mix of nostalgia, practical advice, and high-energy motivation throughout.
For Further Engagement
- Interested shooters or donors: Contact Sheri Rawe at s.rao@lindenwood.edu
- To support or learn more about the booster club: Search for “Pride for Lindenwood Shotgun Sports”
- For more insights, alumni stories, and to follow the team’s journey to Nationals, follow Trap Talk and Lindenwood Shotgun Sports on social media.